Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning is headed back to school.
The University of Tennessee announced on Monday that Manning would return to the school, which he led to the SEC championship in 1997 and graduated from, as a professor.
Manning will join select classes in the College of Communication and Information as a featured expert and work alongside faculty to “provide transformative learning experiences” for students.
The plan is for Manning, 47, to teach a wide range of topics that go with the curriculum, which includes sports reporting, video production and performance, leadership and communication, and public speaking, according to a release from the university.
“There is no other ambassador for our college and university like Peyton Manning, and we are proud to welcome him to the college’s faculty,” Joseph Mazer, dean of the College of Communication and Information, said in a statement. “Peyton is a true Volunteer, and I look forward to our students gaining invaluable knowledge from him as we continue to prepare the next generation of communication and information leaders.”
Manning has made a name for himself in the media industry since he retired from the NFL in 2016.
He started Omaha Productions in 2020, which is the production company behind the popular Netflix docuseries “Quarterback.”
He has also hosted a number of shows for NBC, ESPN 2 and ESPN+.
The popular “Monday Night Football” alternative broadcast, “Manningcast,” is hosted by Manning and his younger brother Eli during the NFL season on ESPN2.
“My time as a student in the College of Communication and Information was a foundational experience during which I learned critical skills and messaging techniques that I continue to put to use almost daily,” Manning said. “I look forward to working with the college’s talented faculty and directly with students in an effort to ensure they are well prepared for their future careers.”
Manning played four years at Tennessee, where he won SEC Player of the Year in 1997.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017 and has remained one of the university’s most popular alumni.
Manning went on to play 17 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and led them to a Super Bowl title in 2007.
He also led the Denver Broncos to a championship in 2016 and Manning was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
His famed No. 18 was retired by both Indianapolis and Denver.
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